Establishing Australia’s first large-scale waste-to-energy project

Using well-known grate technology, the Kwinana Waste-to-Energy plant will be capable of processing 400,000 tonnes of waste a year and producing 38MW of electricity, enough to power up to 52,000 homes. The facility uses the well-proven grate technology to convert the energy from the waste into high-pressure steam that is sent to a steam turbine/generator system to produce electricity. The technology also enables the recovery of valuable metals. The technology meets strict environmental standards and has already been in use in many countries with a strong track record in Europe. Over the years, Ramboll has provided consultancy services to +160 new units or retrofits using this technology.

“This is a landmark project in Australia, and we are optimistic about the future market within waste-to-energy in the country,” said Geert Stryg, Project Director at Ramboll. “This project required strong intercompany collaboration between Ramboll’s Energy and Environment & Health teams in Europe and Australia. We are pleased that the project in Kwinana already has paved the way for further Australian waste-to-energy projects.”

Waste-to-energy services 

Since 2014, Ramboll has provided consultancy services to the Kwinana’s Waste-to-Energy Project and was instrumental in structuring the project, as well as negotiating the contract with Acciona to engineer, procure and construct the plant as well as negotiating the contract with Veolia Australia to operate the facility.

Design, procurement, manufacturing, construction and commissioning of the plant is expected to last 36 months, with the plant anticipated to be in commercial operation by October 2021.

During the manufacturing and construction phase, Ramboll act as Owners Engineer, responsible for undertaking design review and inspection. Ramboll will also oversee the performance testing and commissioning of the facility and transfer to commercial operations.